Action taken by the Franklin Regional District's board of directors regarding a drainage problem is on track. Literally.
In fact, the problem is on the track, where storm water continues to gather on the asphalt surface.
At Friday's meeting the board approved hiring an engineer to make recommendations to correct the problem. Solutions may include installing new French drains, a storm inlet and new curbing. The work is expected to begin after track season ends in May.
In other business, board members may be reading a high school-level novel to prepare for anticipated criticism from parents.
When Assistant Superintendent Dr. Pamela Pulkowski sought approval of a book for an 11th grade English course, Director Roberta Cook voiced her concern "not with the book itself," but for the series of books that have been included in the curriculum.
She questioned whether the choices "deal too much with salacious" topics.
"In one book, a girl is a prostitute, and another is about a ninth-grade girl who is raped by a football player," Cook said.
Pulkowski recommended "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson and compared it to a female version of J.D. Salinger's "Catcher In The Rye." Described as a "contemporary look into a female adolescent's mind," the novel is a 2000 Printz Honor Book and a 1999 National Book Award Finalist.
Cook said she was concerned that the curriculum was going "one way, and we will be criticized for it."
At the January meeting, the board will vote on whether to use the book in the class. Meanwhile, Cook advised members to "know the contents of the book before someone comes forward."
In other business, John Koury returned to the board he recently left when he was appointed to replace Russ Porter, who resigned for personal reasons.
This is Koury's third time to be appointed to a vacancy since 1996. Because he is a federal employee, he is prohibited from running for local office, but he can accept an appointment.
